Francis Hughes

For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, the Dockers & Carters mural was replaced by a large mural of republican heroes on Northumberland Street, with Francis Hughes at the centre.

(For more in-progress images, the completed mural, and a list of the portraits, see X00384.)

Northumberland Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Hunger Striker Mosaics

For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, the mosaics of the Troubles-era hunger strikers are mounted around the blanket-men board and above the Phoenix in Clowney Street; for a few years they were previously at the Falls-Beechmount corner.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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In The East Of The City

An owner, with Ireland’s Saturday Night (which ceased publication in 2008) tucked in his coat pocket, shows off his greyhound.

The words of the poem – author unknown – read “In the east of the city, isolated alone, is a dear little place we like to call home. / Old strengthened by new, the homes and the streets, looking out for each other, a broad smile when they meet / The once terraced streets, some narrow, some wide, behind so many faces a story there lies / In the east of the city by the lagan’s fair side, looking back at its history our hearts fill with pride.”

Edgar Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Free Marian Price

These are the first appearances of “free Marian Price” in the Peter Moloney collection of murals. Graffiti, posters, and murals calling for her release would become widespread over the next two years. As a member of the IRA, Price was jailed for the Old Bailey bombing in 1973, and her post-Agreement license was revoked in May, 2011, when she was charged, as a member of the Real IRA, in connection with the Massereene Barracks shooting of 2009 – she was sent to Maghaberry.

Nailor’s Row, Gartan Sq, two from Eastway, two from Central Drive (Creggan), and one (taken in November) from Kildrum Gardens, Derry.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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From The Greater Bone, Ballybone, Rosapenna

A mural of hands releasing doves is added to the memorial garden in Clós Ard An Lao, in Ardoyne (and a lower plaque is removed). In the middle is a plaque in remembrance of 38 local people (“from the greater Bone, Ballybone, Rosapenna area”) who died during the troubles, on the left, next to the pikemen, is a celtic cross with an Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann roll of honour; on the right is a statue of Jesus with a sacred heart.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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All Our Dead

In addition to three plaques, a wrought-iron head-piece, multiple flag-pole holders and railings fencing in a small area, this mural in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close in Ardoyne uses painted discs for each of the twelve hunger strikers (the ten in Long Kesh 1981 and two from the 70s in English prisons, Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg – the twelve also featured in Derry’s Spirit Of Freedom mural), rather than painting their likenesses directly onto the wall. The two quotes are from Bobby Sands “Let our revenge by the laughter of our children” and Michael Gaughan “Let there be no bitterness on my behalf to achieve a united Ireland”.

The items above the mural are new, compared to 2010. The plaque on the left is to people who died “in defence of the area” and on the right to those who died “of natural causes” who endured discrimination, hardship, suffering, imprisonment.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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The Black Taximen’s Association

This is the new black taxi mural in Ardoyne Avenue, replacing the original painted in 2001. “‘The black Taximen’s Assoc. continued to provide a Service despite the spontaneous rioting which followed news of Frank Stagg‘s murder. Ulsterbus had cancelled all services in Nationalist areas immediately on hearing of Frank’s death’ – Newspaper editorial Feb. 1976. Dedicated to those who died in the service of their community: Michael Duggan, Jim Green, Harry Muldoon, Paddy McAllister, Caoımhın Mac Bradaıgh, Thomas Hughes, Hugh Magee, Padraıg Ó Cleırıgh. [on the side wall:] In memory of all taxi drivers – public and private – who were murdered by loyalists/British crown forces during the conflict serving their community through transport.”

The “photos” in the lower left and right include various Ardoyne murals that can be seen as part of a black taxi tour (taxitrax.com): Ard Eoın Kickhams, It’s Black And White, GPO 1916, The Blind Piper, The Mass Rock. This mural uses the same device as It’s Black And White, of painting in black and white with occasional use of red (originally for the sweaters of the children, à la Schindler’s List).

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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